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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Clanging Cymbal

" If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

A few nights ago I was making dinner. I had decided to make my husband's favorite meal complete with cheesecake for desert. I really love to cook, and I enjoy blessing my husband and children with their favorite foods. There's nothing wrong with this, in fact I think it's a good thing, but there was one problem. The meal I was making requires a lot of attention. It's not difficult to make, but I have to be standing next to it for most of the time it takes to cook.

My children were running around, being children, but truthfully I was getting a little aggravated at their energy. I had spent their afternoon nap time cleaning, but the house was quickly turning into a disaster zone. I told them they needed to take their toys back to their room, and grab a book to look at quietly, and to their credit they obeyed without any problems. But for whatever reason I was in a bad mood. One of those lovely moods, where I was letting my emotions rule me. Before I knew it I was convincing myself that no one appreciates anything I do, and started questioning why I was even bothering with making a nice meal.

The more I allowed these thoughts to creep into my mind, the more resentful and angrier I became. But then a thought popped into my head. All right, not a thought, but a conviction.

"Are you just making noise, Jessica?"

And as much as I didn't want to admit it, I was. And what was the point of making my husband his favorite dinner if my motive wasn't love? Because I can guarantee my husband would much rather come home to a happy and loving wife and just eat peanut butter and jelly, than come home to his favorite dinner and have to deal with an annoyed and frazzled wife. And Erik doesn't even like peanut butter and jelly!

It's so easy to dutifully serve our families. I'm thinking as women, this is a particularly big struggle. However, we must always remember that if our desire to serve is outshining our desire to love then all we're really doing is making noise.

This is so, so true. I am so thankful to be married to a man who only wants a peaceful, happy wife. He doesn't pressure me to keep the house a certain way, or do this or that. He just wants peace in his home. And as the Mama, it starts with me! Constantly need reminding from the Holy Spirit that I am largely responsible for the tone that is set in our house, as I am the one that spends the most time nurturing it. As Cheryl said, thankful for HIS grace, because I can't be that love without first knowing His.

I enjoyed this post very much!! i think because I feel this way so many times!! No one seems to mind the mess, actually no one seems to even see the mess but me!!! so I try and be reasonable....and work and play!!i am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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Welcome to Ramblings of a Wife & Mommy! I'm so glad you're here!

I'm a Christian, wife to my wonderful husband, and mommy to five children 5 and under(Jack's 5, Anna's 4, Lily's 3, Max is 1, and Luke's a newborn.) I'm also a new homeschooling mama.I love coffee, real food, baking, and spending time with my friends and family. My hope is that this blog will be an encouragement to those who read it. Thanks so much for stopping by!